At Ashby Thelen Lowry, our Georgia defective consumer products attorneys know that each year brings a lengthy list of goods — ranging from treadmills and electronics to toys and furniture — that are recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The CPSC announced 292 product recalls in 2022, including 65 products — or 22% — that involved injuries or deaths. Unfortunately, by the time the consumer products that are connected to harmful incidents are recalled, it is too late to undo the injuries or fatalities that resulted from their use.
If you or someone you love has been injured or tragically lost their life while using a defective product, we can help you pursue the liable party, or a combination of parties, for your complete damages.
What are the Most Commonly Recalled Consumer Products?
The group Kids in Danger, which advocates for safe products for children, reported that there were 100 recalls of children’s items in 2022 — higher than any other year since 2013. They made up 34% of total recalls last year. These children’s products included everything from clothing and toys to strollers and baby swings.
Historically, the types of products recalled have varied widely, including ceiling fans, cleaning products, furniture, inclined sleepers, portable generators, pajamas, and strollers.
More recently, the list of CPSC recalls has included:
- Baby Monitors
- Bicycle Helmets
- Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors
- Ceramic Mugs
- Children’s Pajamas
- Dietary Supplements
- Recliner Chairs
- Steam Humidifiers
When a product is identified as being defective or unsafe, it will either be voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer or forcibly recalled by a regulatory body. In addition to the CPSC, other government agencies oversee product recalls in their respective fields.
For example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversee the recall of food. Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) oversees car and vehicle part recalls.
Why Consumer Advocates Say Recalls Are Not as Effective as They Could Be
The consumer advocacy group, U.S. PIRG, reported 33% more recall announcements in 2022 compared with 2021 and contends that these statements are not as effective as they could be.
PIRG incident reports show that products frequently are connected to serious incidents, yet it takes too long for the company and government to announce a recall.
Once the recall is announced, it still has a hard time reaching consumers. This is either because the retailers do not want to spend the money to make a far-reaching announcement, or the manufacturer does not want the public shame of heavily promoting a recall.
When a recall is issued, companies are required to pull the product from their shelves but can still be financially liable for the injuries or fatalities that result from the product’s use — even after it has been recalled.
If you have questions about a potential recall for consumer products, motor vehicles, boats, food, medicine, cosmetics, or environmental products you can search all government agency recalls in one place.
If you have questions about how you can hold a retailer or manufacturer liable for your injuries or the loss of your loved one from the use of their defective product, contact our trusted Georgia defective product lawyers and support team today at (404) 777-7771 to schedule a free consultation, so we can tell your story and ensure your voice is heard by pursuing the best outcome for your unique case.